Ciao Bella!

Mediterranean-style abundance is the

Situated on a prominent corner lot in the Orlando, Florida, neighborhood of Baldwin Park, our latest showhome boasts architecture that harks back to the European influences of some of the state's popular prewar developments. You've seen this dwelling's brains—we introduced the project to you in our January/February 2007 issue with details about its user-friendly, whole-house automation system—and now it's time to concentrate on its beauty.

Although the 6,500-square-foot home has an old-world look, it's made of modern materials sturdy enough to withstand the area's sometimes harsh climate. Builder Kim Goehring of Orlando-based Goehring and Morgan Construction covered the exterior in real stucco (sealed, then painted twice), and installed durable concrete roof tiles, brick red aluminum-clad windows, and French doors. The chiseled-edge, 18-inch-by-36-inch travertine tile that begins on the front steps runs throughout the first floor and back outside to the rear veranda and pool area. In this warm climate, tile flooring is a cool choice that's also long lasting and easy to maintain.

The home's details are spectacular. "There's a lot of customization—from the floor plan with its large first-level master suite and living room opening to a covered lanai, to the wood doors throughout the house (four of which are hand carved)," says Goehring. Inside, the kitchen and baths are equipped with all the latest bells and whistles, and designed to showcase the most up-to-date building products and interior finishes. Kitchen

If there's one thing this room has, it's lots of appliances," builder Kim Goehring says with a laugh. He's not kidding. Designed so multiple chefs can work at the same time, the 15-by- 33-foot room accom­modates three sinks, two dish­washers (one has two drawers), the largest range on the residential market, two ovens, a warming drawer, a full-size refrigerator, and two fridge drawers. One of our favorite things is the 15-inch stainless steel sink that's designed for steaming, boiling, blanch­­ing, and other varieties of water-based cook-ing. "You can make pasta right in the sink!" marvels Goehring.

All of this surrounds a 12-by-4-foot center island packed with storage drawers and shelves. Interior designer Donald Saxon distinguished it from the other dark-stained maple cabinetry by finishing it with a soft green paint and garnishing the unit with furniturelike corbel details. The granite countertops are treated with a new, super-high-tech stain protector.

The focal point of the room is a com­manding exhaust-hood surround over the range. "It's a standard vent, framed in wood that was covered in travertine tile," says the builder. "The large, 36-by-18-inch pieces that match the flooring cover the body of the surround, and smaller split-faced ones form a horizontal band of trim for greater visual interest." Baths

The generous, 15-by-14-foot first-floor master bathroom (above) has plenty of space for two to bathe, pamper themselves, and get ready for work and play. In a house as big as this, his-and-hers vanities are a given. "All of my clients request them," says builder Goehring. The large tub, featuring therapeutic whirlpool jets, is surrounded in the same granite and dark-stained maple cabinetry used on the vanities. A gas fireplace built into a niche is a cozy touch in this expansive space. "It takes the chill out and adds a bit of sparkle to the room," says Goehring. A faux-paint finish on the walls and knotty alder closet doors warm things up. To round off the stone-and-wood scheme, the polished porcelain-tile floor was embellished with a custom-made center medallion.

A "Jack and Jill" bath (one that can be accessed from a room on either side) serves two of the home's bedrooms (right). Interior designer Saxon used an array of yellow glass tiles in different sizes to create the varied pattern within the 3½-by-5-foot shower and on its gracefully arched ceiling.